By Mark Kleis

Friday, Sep 24th, 2010 @ 9:43 am

Yesterday Leftlane brought you footage of several car and truck loads full of United Auto Worker Union members from Chrysler's Jefferson North facility leaving the premises to purchase and consume significant amounts of alcohol and marijuana during their lunch breaks.

Now, after word spread virally across national and world news outlets, Chrysler has taken action and suspended all 15 workers identified in the videos, according to The Wall Street Journal. The workers have been suspended without pay while Chrysler determines the appropriate course of action.

(More after video)

After the footage was released, a statement was released by the UAW, stating, "The United Auto Workers strongly opposes the use of controlled substances or alcohol use on the job. This type of behavior jeopardizes the health and safety of all employees. We also recognize that, unfortunately, these behaviors exist in our society."

In addition to the UAW condemning the behavior, Chrysler also clarified that it has rules in place which prohibit the use, possession, distribution, sale or offering for sale, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on corporation property, or while operating a corporation owned motor vehicle, or while engaged in corporate business. Given Chrysler's clear and comprehensive rules, it should be a slam dunk case against the workers for severe penalties, including possible termination.

Ms. Tinson, a spokeswoman for Chrysler, said that the automaker blocked entry to the manufacturing facility for most of the workers identified in the video on Thursday, citing the possible danger posed to fellow co-workers.

The plant where the workers were caught, Jefferson North, is responsible for producing the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.